Currently Watching: Lovely Runner

Lovely Runner (2024) 선재 업고 튀어

Directed by Yoon Jong-ho and Kim Tae-yub, starring Byeon Woo-seok as Sun-jae and Kim Hye-yoon as Sol.

I finished episode 12 today (caught up with all the broadcasted episodes, I pretty much binge-watched them) and now I have to wait for new episodes to being aired (disgruntled look), only four more to go (two more weeks, two eps. per week). I had not expected to like this sooooo much!!! This goes for the show itself but also for its appealing lead couple. Byeon Woo-seok and Kim Hye-yoon have amazing chemistry and I love their scenes together. Both actors are attractive and I like the male lead much more than I thought I would. I love watching him being in love with our female lead. I have to say that the lovey-dovey moments between Sol and Sun-jae can become a bit too much, but still ... this OTP (One True Pair/Pairing — never used this term before but here it's more than fitting) makes their romance very believable. My heart flutters and aches for them, I'm so immersed in their story. One thing I had not seen coming at all is the crime part with the serial killer and kidnapping. It's getting quite dark. As much as I love crime series, I'm not sure whether this show would have needed a crime element. Sol is putting her life at risk now, wanting to divert Sun-jae's fate, and I'm scared for both of them.

I love time-travel series but I have to admit I find the different timelines confusing at times. I love the cute teenage versions of the characters but I think I prefer their adult versions from 2023. I expect the show to end with the present day. And I expect a happy ending! Please, don't let me down! Stay tuned for my final review notes at the end of this month.

Blood Free

Blood Free (2024) 지배종

Directed by Park Chul-hwan, starring Ju Ji-hoon and Han Hyo-joo.

Watched 11 April - 10 May 2024 — 10 episodes (DRAMACOOL)

*Finished this show a couple of days ago. I think my overall enjoyment was a bit hampered by the fact that I watched this over the course of weeks while it was being aired. If I would have binge-watched it after it had been broadcasted completely, I might have liked it more, because I had to get into the story repeatedly and felt less engaged.

*I like the relationship between Ju Ji-hoon and Han Hyo-joo and was disappointed there was no romance. But I liked their blooming friendship and trust. It was all depicted in a subtle way. 

*The show held a lot of promise and potential but somehow didn't completely deliver. The final episode was disappointing. It was quite bloody and I didn't like the fact that there was very little screen time dedicated to our main couple, together or individually.

*Han Hyo-joo's character is depicted as being cold and aloof. I liked seeing her human side, e.g. while she was sitting on the couch in comfortable clothes, or in her interactions with Ju Ji-hoon's cat. But those moments were few. She's mainly shown professionally, as the boss of BF, and she rarely smiles. I would have liked to get to know her character better.

*I love the scene where Ju Ji-hoon and Han Hyo-joo sit together outside Ju Ji-hoon's house with the other bodyguard (who's going to be killed later on) and just talk. It's such a peaceful and realistic scene. 

*I liked Lee Moo-saeng's character (founding member of BF Group and general manager), who basically serves as a moral compass. Seen him in Designated Survivor: 60 Days and The Crowned Clown. Would like to see him in a romantic leading role.

*I don't really have a lot to say about this show. I liked it, yet it fell short of my expectations.

*The ending is open to interpretation and there are rumours about a second season which makes sense. I would love to see more of Ju Ji-hoon and Han Hyo-joo together. If not in a second season, then in another K-drama (preferably a romantic one).

The Fiery Priest

The Fiery Priest (2019) 열혈사제 

Directed by Lee Myung-woo. 

Watched 29 April - 9 May 2024 — 40 episodes (NETFLIX)

 

CAST

Kim Nam-gil as Kim Hae-il / Michael Kim

Kim Sung-kyun as Goo Dae-young

Lee Ha-nee as Park Kyung-sun

Go Joon as Hwang Cheol-bum

Geum Sae-rok as Seo Seung-a

Jeon Sung-woo as priest Han Sung-kyu

Baek Ji-won as head nun Kim In-kyung

*Totally loved this feel-good comedy/crime show! Watched this with my sister, chromecasted on our monitor screen, and I don't think I have ever laughed so much with a K-drama. With a high rewatch value, this will rank on my list of all-time favourite K-dramas from now on.

*Kim Nam-gil is perfectly cast as the priest with a temper. An ex-NIS agent, he possesses excellent fighting skills and doesn't hold back using them in the face of injustice. I love how fiery he is but at the same time righteous and protective of the people he cares about and how he impacts and changes their lives. And Nam-gil looks sooooo good with the long black coat. I love those slow-motion shots with him walking and his coat waving behind him.

*At times the humour is over the top, and things get silly (and not very credible), but the cast must have had a blast with this. The visuals with the red flower petals when the bad guys were farting! Too funny!

*I love Lee Ha-nee and her character, prosecutor Park Kyung-sun. She's beautiful (love her clothes and hairstyle), feisty, funny, and even though her character is shady and corrupt at first, my hope for her redemption was fulfilled and she became the priest's ally and part of his team. Love ep. 26 where she decides to join hands with him and love the scene where they do the bad-ass walk while putting on their sunglasses and flinging back the tails of their coats. Also love Kyung-sun's womance with Seo Seung-a, the rookie detective with a crush on Father Kim.

*I knew there wasn't going to be any romance but I was really happy with the great chemistry between Kim Nam-gil and Lee Ha-nee and their often funny interactions. I loved how he saved her from the killer in her home and how she fainted in his arms.

*I love the bromance between Father Kim and the cop Goo Dae-young who turns a blind eye on the corruption, behaves cowardly, and how he changes under the priest's influence. The scene where they dress up as a Muslim sheikh and a woman is so funny. By the way, Kim Nam-gil makes a beautiful woman.

*I liked how Go Joon as Hwang Cheol-bum in the end (temporarily) sided with the good guys. Despite having done really bad things ordered by the vicious foursome from the local cartel, Go Joon is charismatic and makes his character charming, eliciting sympathy from the viewer and you really start rooting for him and his redemption. This also applies to his puppet with the bob haircut (Eum Moon-suk as Jang-ryong). He is a bad boy, annoying and ridiculous, but also likeable and at times endearing in his interactions with Ahn Chang-hwan as Songsak, the Thai restaurant delivery guy. There's a bromance there. 

*I also liked Baek Ji-won as head nun Kim In-kyung. The actress makes a believable nun, and looks so different when she dressed up for the card game. I love how feisty she is and how she supports Father Kim.

*The cult leader was annoying and I worried at first that he would take up too much screen time. But luckily his time was very limited. Woota!

*With 20/40 episodes I thought it might be too long, but the contents of the final episodes were no fillers. There was plenty of laughs but also tragedy at the end of episode 18 (ep. 36). I didn't really mind the long runtime because I didn't want to part with the characters. 

*Always be aware in K-dramas that beloved key characters might get killed off and are not exempt from violence and death. I was so sad that dear Father Han got brutally attacked and I feared for his life. But I also know from previous dramas that even if they bleed from the head and lie in a pool of blood and look very dead, it doesn't mean they cannot survive miraculously. Thank you, writer!

*After the attack on Father Han, Father Kim went full NIS mode and pushed away his friends who kept telling him he was not to blame. I love the voice mail message prosecutor Kyung-sun left on his phone. Everyone was so supportive of him, it was heartwarming. Nun In-kyung is such a darling, telling him during the final fight not to give up, even when her own life is at stake. 

*Such a satisfying bad-ass ending with our four main leads Father Kim, Goo Dae-young, Park Kyung-sun and Seo Seung-a confronting the bad guys. Seung-a is hilarious in the red suit and with the bob haircut impersonating Jang-ryong. Going to miss these characters sooooo much, but thankfully a second season is scheduled near the end of this year. With the same leading cast! Maybe and hopefully there will be some romantic sparks between Kim Nam-gil and Lee Ha-nee. 

Currently Watching: Lovely Runner

Lovely Runner (2024) 선재 업고 튀어

Directed by Yoon Jong-ho and Kim Tae-yub, starring Byeon Woo-seok and Kim Hye-yoon.

The series follows the journey of Im Sol, an ardent fan of idol Ryu Sun-jae. Sol, a once-promising film director whose dreams were shattered by an accident leaving her paralysed, finds solace in the music of Sun-jae. However, tragedy strikes again when Sun-jae dies in a tragic accident, leaving Sol devastated. But fate has other plans as Sol wakes up in a classroom, 15 years in the past, before both her and Sun-jae's accidents. Seeing this as a chance from the heavens, Sol vows to change the course of destiny for both of them. (Synopsis: Wikipedia)

I just started this ongoing series (because it's well-received and has good ratings) and really like it. It's sweet and heartwarming and has strong Twinkling Watermelon vibes, a series I truly love. The leads Byeon Woo-seok and Kim Hye-yoon (I've never seen either of them before) are appealing and have good chemistry. I love the scenes with the rain and umbrellas! Also love the OST! Can't wait to see more of this show and hope for more endearing moments.

Currently Watching: What Happens to My Family?

What Happens to My Family? (2014) 가족끼리 왜 이래

Directed by Jeon Chang-geun, starring Kim Hyun-joo, Kim Sang-kyung, Park Hyung-sik, Nam Ji-hyun, Yoon Park.

I guess it will take me a long time to finish this show, since it's hardly binge-worthy, and there are 53 episodes. With 9 episodes watched, I'm not still not invested in the story nor characters yet, and the recent addition of Aunt's daughter and the story concerning her huge gambling debt doesn't interest me at all. 

My initial reason to watch this series was because I wanted to watch something with Kim Sang-kyung, preferably in a romantic role, and I saw him paired here with the beautiful Kim Hyun-joo. Undoubtedly there will unfold a romance between them at some point but momentarily they still loathe each other. I'm here for the appeal of these actors, but their characters are not well written. Kim Sang-kyung's character is even rather ridiculous. He's only moping and distorts his face in overdone expressions. I love the actor but he's not given much to work with. He does get a bit funnier, though, because he's so childish and petty. But in his defence, he looks good. 

Initially I found Nam Ji-hyun rather annoying, but she gets a bit more likeable and has her heart in the right place. I don't think much of the new love interest for Yoon Park (she's so unappealing), and I don't really like Seo Kang-joon (Park Hyung-sik's competition) either. I hope Kang-joon and Hyung-sik will eventually become friends.

The most heartfelt moment up till now came in episode 5. Nam Ji-hyun buys the father a new pair of shoes and lets Park Hyung-sik give them to him. The scene where Park Hyung-sik puts the shoes on his father's feet made me teary-eyed. I love how he turns around to face Nam Ji-hyun, who's standing outside, and mouths a 'thank you' to her.

I will continue this series (it's like watching a soap-opera) but I hope the relationships and characters get more depth and that the plot becomes more interesting.

By the way, the show's aesthetics are not consistently bad. Not everything has this cheap daytime soap-opera television look. The main sets — like the family's house, shop and street where they live — are clearly filmed in the studio, also Kim Hyun-joo's workplace, but there are plenty of location shots which make the show more authentic.

Currently Watching: Criminal Minds

Criminal Minds (2017) 크리미널 마인드
Directed by Yang Yun-ho and Lee Jeong-hyo, starring Lee Joon-gi, Moon Chae-won and Son Hyun-joo.

So far I watched 4 episodes of this series, based on the American crime series of the same name, and I like how fast-paced it is. The show follows the fictional National Criminal Investigation (NCI) team while they track down criminals and solve cases. These cases follow each other quickly and the nature of the show seems episodic. I don't really mind, because it feels like watching an American crime series like CSI (I've never watched the American Criminal Minds). I'm not expecting too much from the show, I'm basically here for Lee Joon-gi and Moon Chae-won, to see them interact with each other (though there won't be any romance), because I like them and they have great chemistry. They would star together a couple of years later in the much-acclaimed Flower of Evil (2020). 

Currently Watching: The Atypical Family

The Atypical Family (2024) 히어로는 아닙니다만

Directed by Jo Hyun-tak, starring Chun Woo-hee and Jang Ki-yong.

Bok Gwi-ju (Jang Ki-yong) and his family were born with different supernatural powers. Bok Gwi-ju is able to travel back in time, but only to happy times in his life. He can't change the past, so he can only dwell on those happy moments. Bok Gwi-ju becomes afflicted with depression and this leads him to lose his supernatural power. His family also loses their own powers due to modern day problems like insomnia, bulimia, and smartphone addiction. One day, Do Da-hae (Chun Woo-hee) happens to get involved with Bok Gwi-ju and his family. She begins to live with them and change occurs. (Synopsis: AsianWiki)

Only two episodes have been aired and I'm so underwhelmed with this new fantasy series for which I had high hopes. I like the lead actors, I like the story with the fantasy element, but it's all a bit weird and not captivating (yet). It certainly doesn't capitalise on its promising premise. The biggest problem I have with this show is that the characters are not appealing and I don't care about them at all. I also don't like the scam plot, and it feels uncomfortable watching it unfold. And to scare Gwi-ju's daughter with a stalker is soooo wrong. 

I did like the start of episode 2 where we see a young Gwi-ju discovering his supernatural gift. Once he realised that a happy moment for him could be a miserable moment for someone else, he couldn't enjoy his happy memory anymore and could not go back to that part of his past. Episode 2 ends with a twist which made me curious about the time-travel part, but I'm still not sure whether to keep watching this or putting it on hold. Maybe for the better that it's an ongoing series because binge-worthy this is not. 

Currently Watching: Blood Free, The Fiery Priest, What Happens to My Family?

I'm currently watching three shows: Blood Free (2024) starring Ju Ji-hoon, The Fiery Priest (2019) starring Kim Nam-gil, and What Happens to My Family? (2014) starring Kim Sang-kyung.

I like these mentioned actors a lot and this is just a short appreciation post and to show their handsome looks. I've seen Ju Ji-hoon prior in Jirisan (2021), Kim Nam-gil in Through the Darkness (2022) and Live Up To Your Name (2017), and Kim Sang-kyung in The Crowned Clown (2019). I'll definitely check out more of their dramas (and films). 

Photos are from the series I'm currently watching. Screenshot from Blood Free is taken by me.

Currently Watching: What Happens to My Family?

What Happens to My Family? (2014) 가족끼리 왜 이래
Directed by Jeon Chang-geun, starring Kim Hyun-joo, Kim Sang-kyung, Park Hyung-sik, Nam Ji-hyun, Yoon Park.

This is my first 50+ drama series, 53 episodes to be precise. I chose to watch this for Kim Sang-kyung, because I liked him a lot in The Crowned Clown. And he looks freakin' handsome here, Hyun Bin-style. He's paired with the beautiful Kim Hyun-joo (seen her in Undercover). They have great chemistry and I expect their hate working-relationship to turn into love and romance over the course of the show. Further familiar acting credits: Park Hyung-sik (seen him in Happiness, Strong Woman Do Bong-soon, Doctor Slump), Yoon Park (seen him in Fanletter, Please and Doctor Slump), and Nam Ji-hyun (seen her in Little Women and Off The Course). 

Kim Hyun-joo, Park Hyung-sik and Yoon Park play siblings here. Looks like Nam Ji-hyun will be the love interest of Park Hyung-sik. I only watched the first episode and Nam Ji-hyun's character is a bit naive and stupid to think that someone who promised her marriage 12 years ago, when he was a teenager, will follow up on that promise. I think a love interest for Yoon Park will be introduced shortly. I also saw another familiar face in the cast list, Seo Kang-joon from When the Weather is Fine, but he has yet to make his first appearance and I wonder whether he'll be tied up in some sort of love triangle with Park Hyung-sik and Nam Ji-hyun.

With only one episode in, I can already say that I like it. The production values are those from TV shows, with scenes where buildings and streets are built on a sound stage, so I don't really like the aesthetics.

To be continued.

(Screenshots taken by me from Dramacool. I'm watching this show on VIKI but they don't allow screenshots.)

Currently Watching: The Fiery Priest

The Fiery Priest (2019) 열혈사제 

Directed by Lee Myung-woo, starring Kim Nam-gil, Kim Sung-kyun and Lee Ha-nee.

I really like Kim Nam-gil. I just finished Live Up to Your Name — also have seen him in Through the Darkness — and I want to see more of him. The Fiery Priest is a popular and acclaimed series with him playing the lead role as the unorthodox priest with a temper, one who's not afraid to use violence in order to combat injustice. It also has a second series lined up this year. 

I just watched the first episode and absolutely loved it. It's funny, with quirky characters and a feel-good quality. I don't think it will have romance, on account of the main character being a priest, but there's chemistry and tension between Kim Nam-gil and Lee Ha-nee. Loved their interaction in the first episode. (Lee Ha-nee's character is a bit shady but I'm expecting her to join the good guys.) Also, I'm eager to watch a bromance develop between Kim Nam-gil and Kim Sung-kyun. They haven't met yet. Cannot wait to continue this series!

Love this line: "The human brain doesn't exist just to decorate the insides of the skull." (Lee Ha-nee as the female prosecutor)

Live Up to Your Name

Live Up To Your Name (2017) 명불허전

Directed by Hong Jong-chan, starring Kim Nam-gil and Kim A-joong. 

Watched 15 - 28 April 2024 — 16 episodes (DRAMACOOL)

*I really liked this show, although I wasn't immediately invested in the characters. I love the actor Kim Nam-gil but the broad humour with which he portrayed his character Heo Im could have been toned down a bit. At times he wás funny, though, and the actor does have comedic skills. Still, when he's in his humorous mode, he's a bit of a dope (at the same time he can also be adorable). I just preferred him being more serious.

*I think at one point I wanted to put this show on hold but I was also very curious how things would develop and I wanted Heo Im to succeed as a doctor in the present world. I also really like the chemistry between him and the female lead Kim A-joong.

*Kim A-joong as Choi Yeon-kyung is not entirely likeable in the beginning but as the series progresses you understand where she's coming from. I love the way she treats patients and wants what's best for them. Incidentally, she looks lovely in the traditional hanbok and with her hair in a braid. I also loved to see how she silently observes Heo Im and starts to like him.

*The ending of episode 8 had me in tears when Ddaksae, the brother of Doo-chil, gets killed in a brutal way after Heo Im had treated him and saved his life. It was heartbreaking to see how Im goes down on his knees in front of the enemy and humiliates himself in order to save Doo-chil (Oh Dae-hwan) and himself, Yeon-kyung being witness to all of this. This episode was the turning point for me, and from then on I binge-watched the rest of the episodes. They get increasingly more compelling.

*After ep. 8, Heo Im gets all serious and there's no more goofy behaviour (for now). He's willing to sell his soul to the chaebols because he never wants to be hurt and humiliated again (apparently money is the answer). He almost looks like a different person (more attractive, in my opinion) and even walks differently. It's funny that the moment he decides to stop selling his soul, his behaviour is dorky again. He even walks clumsily now and then.

*Choi Yeon-kyung repeatedly tries to connect with Heo Im, even though he keeps pushing her away, and I loved her for that.
*I was glad that this whole working-for-the-chaebols thing didn't last too long, and Heo Im came to his senses when granny almost died. It broke my heart that he sent her away when she visited him at the hospital.
*Love the episode with the two children, and how Heo Im and Choi Yeon-kyung operated on the little boy, bringing together the ancient and modern medical techniques. This is also the strength of the show: showing both methods and not claiming one method to be better than the other. Moreover, they complement one another. I loved to see the workings of acupuncture and how Heo Im was diagnosing the patient. 

*I like how they time-travel back and forth to the Joseon period. You anticipate it will go wrong at some point, that Heo Im will leave Choi Yeon-kyung behind in Joseon by herself when he goes back to the present and he's not physically holding her. And this is exactly what happens.

*I simply love Heo Im and Choi Yeon-kyung together, how they care for one another and support each other, no matter what. And their first kiss is so sweet! Swooooon!!! I was glad Yeon-kyung witnessed in Joseon how Im was humiliated for treating a slave, him being from a low upbringing himself, so she could understand his attitude towards power and wealth in the present time.

*In ep. 15, while being under attack by the Japanese soldiers, I was so happy to see that Heo Im's savior was Doo-chil. I love how their relationship became friendly.

*I also love how the Japanese general helped them as a result of them helping him and how in the end he and his brother ended up staying in Joseon. 

*I like the couple from grandfather's practice, Tae Hang-ho as Min Byung-ki and Min Ji-a as Jeon Jae-sook (I've seen her as Court Lady Kim in The Crowned Clown), even though she's hitting him too much. I also like Yun Ju-sang as Yeon-kyung's granddad, this role is much better than his role in IRIS.

*The ending!!! I was thrilled that it was a happy ending and that Heo Im travelled back to the present time. To be honest, I did a quick search online to see if there was mention of a happy ending, because it looked like it wasn't going to end happily for our main couple and I wanted to be sure beforehand. Heo Im behaved a bit goofy again in the last scene. 

*The epilogue with Mak-gae (Mun Ka-young) travelling with Heo Im to the present time and meeting Jae-ha (Yoo Min-kyu) was a cliffhanger! First of all, she can now study medicine and become a doctor as well. Secondly, Mak-gae and Jae-ha as a romantic couple!!! I would love to see that! I actually felt a bit sorry for Jae-ha that his love for Yeon-kyung wasn't reciprocated, because he wasn't a bad person. So can we have a second season, please!!! 

*Noteworthy is that the character of Heo Im is a historical figure. You can read more about him here.

U-Turn

U-Turn (2008) 유-턴

Director by Jang Jin and starring So Ji-sub and Lee Yeon-hee.

Watched 26 April 2024 — 4 episodes (DRAMACOOL)

Found this drama online when I was looking for series starring So Ji-sub. I saw it had only 4 episodes and to my surprise they were ultrashort, only 5 minutes per episode. So no excuse not to watch this. I liked the fact that So Ji-sub plays opposite Lee Yeon-hee here, she would be his co-star a couple of years later in the very enjoyable series Ghost (2012). In supporting roles I recognised two familiar faces, Ryu Seung-ryong (from Moving) and Kim Won-hae (I've seen him in several shows, recently in Through the Darkness). This drama is entertaining and tells its story effectively in such a short runtime. It comes straight to the point, just like in short stories and flash fiction. I won't put a spoiler here, not even give a synopsis. It's better to go in without knowing anything about it. So Ji-sub (whom I didn't like when he was losing his temper and shouting) is very young and looks good (despite the unbecoming ear ornament), same goes for Lee Yeon-hee. Go check this out!

The Crowned Clown

The Crowned Clown (2019) 왕이 된 남자 

Directed by Kim Hee-won, starring Yeo Jin-goo, Lee Se-young, Kim Sang-kyung, Jeong Hye-young, Jang Gwang.

Watched 22 November 2023 - 24 April 2024 — 16 episodes (DRAMACOOL/VIKI PASS)

The story takes place at a time in Joseon history, when upheaval and power struggles surrounding the throne had reached extreme levels. In order to escape those who plan to assassinate him, the king puts a clown, who looks exactly like him, on the throne. (Synopsis: Letterboxd)

*Finally finished this show which I started in November last year but for some reason didn't binge-watch because other shows kept interfering and I didn't prioritise this. I did like it from the beginning but wasn't completely wrapped up in the story. And I prefer contemporary series. Also, dealing with so many court politics and intrigues can become a bit too much for me.
*Praise for the entire cast and good performances (especially Yeo Jin-goo in a double role as the clown Ha Sun/king Lee Hun and Kim Sang-kyung as Chief Royal Secretary Lee Kyu), the well-crafted story, the high production values, the beautiful instrumental music and costumes, and the gorgeous cinematography. 
*From episode 8 on I got totally hooked and finished the rest of the episodes in a couple of days. So much is happening, even in the last episodes. I almost couldn't keep up. Every time you think the bad guys are down, they pick themselves up again, continuing to do bad things.
*Show delivers twists continuously, some I didn't see coming, e.g. the poisoning of the real king (ep. 8, beach scene ending). I was shocked. Though the real king wasn't a good person, I felt for him. He was crazy and violent (partly because of his drug addiction) but I had hoped he would redeem himself. 
*The elimination of the king opened up a range of possible plot developments. I thought immediately, if the clown wants to back out now, Chief Royal Secretary Lee won't let him. By the way, Lee is a very interesting character. Not good in a moral sense, a bit shady, he wants what's best for the country and goes to great lengths to achieve his goal. Kim Sang-kyung portrays Lee very well and makes him likeable. I really like the actor.
*I liked the sweet romance between the fake king Ha Sun and the queen So-woon but at the same time I felt a bit uncomfortable about it because he was an imposter and betraying the real king. The moment that the queen discovers the truth is another important plot point. I felt so sorry for her. I love the actress Lee Se-young and she's great in this role, she made her hurt really palpable. Love her character, such a sweet and gentle soul but also strong and determined.
*Love the side characters who are in favour of Ha Sun and stand by his side: eunuch Jo (Jang Gwang), Joo Ho-geol, the Minister of Taxation (Lee Gyu-han) and Officer Jang (Yun Jong-seok). The court lady of the queen, Ae-young, is also very sweet.
*I love Woon-sim (Jung Hye-young) and Secretary Lee together and the scene where he admits his feelings for her. I would have loved to see more of them together, having their relationship blossom into a real romance, but that never happened. I was so sad Secretary Lee died. I saw it coming, his fate was unavoidable, but it really gives an emotional heartwrenching punch and I shed some tears. Still, at one point I asked myself if he really could be trusted, and I think I'd rather have him die than turn out to be untrustworthy.
*I really loved the bond between Ha Sun and Lee. The scene from episode 14 where the Chief Royal Secretary hands over his letter of resignation to the king is such a beautiful display of trust, respect and companionship.
*I also love the bond between Ha Sun and eunuch Jo. The eunuch is so adorable. The scene where he has to pretend the real king has gone crazy and is tossing furniture around had me laughing out loud.

*I didn't really understand the court politics. First Shin Chi-soo (played by Kwon Hae-hyo) is imprisoned and almost beheaded, then he escapes prison and is suddenly holding all the cards and it looks like they can't do anything against it. It seems like everyone can be in command and give orders. 
*The rebellion/border issue didn't interest me that much, and with Chief Royal Secretary Lee dead, I was less invested in the last episode. But there were some heartfelt moments: Woon-sim crying over her beloved Lee (how could you leave me when we finally could be together?), the goodbye scene between eunuch Jo and Ha Sun, and the death of Officer Jang, another favourite character of mine. Sob sob sob.  
*I liked the fact that Ha Sun abdicated and chose the simple life. I couldn't imagine him continue being a king for much longer. He already accomplished what he wanted.
*It was a bit coincidental that Ha Sun and the queen ran into each other in the field. Some commenters online believe they meet in the afterlife. I can believe that Ha Sun really died (though it's also possible someone found him and nursed him back to health) but how did the queen end up dead? Anyway, life or afterlife, it's a happy ending and they both look very happy.

My Secret Terrius

My Secret Terrius (2018) 내 뒤에 테리우스 

Directed by Park Sang-hun, starring So Ji-sub, Jung In-sun, Son Ho-jun, Lim Se-mi, Sung Joo.

Watched 1 - 22 April 2024 — 32 episodes (VIKI PASS)

A woman named Go Ae-rin loses her husband. Along with her neighbour Kim Bon, who is a NIS agent, they discover the truth behind her husband's involvement in a huge conspiracy. (Synopsis: Letterboxd)

*Finished this series and ultimately I enjoyed it.
*In the beginning it was a bit hard to get through, but around episode 8 (15/16) it got decidedly better.
*Some things are not really believable, like Go Ae-rin (Jung In-sun) knowing exactly where to locate Kim Bon (So Ji-sub) in the water. She saves him and it's explained that she's a good diver (her mother is a diver on Jeju Island) but still ...
*I like the female NIS agent Yoo Ji-yeon, played by Lim Se-mi, who likes Kim Bon. I love her relationship with Go Ae-rin. Knowing how Kim Bon feels about Go Ae-rin, she could have disliked Go Ae-rin because she's competition, but she treats her with kindness and doesn't play competing games. 
*I started to feel sorry for the obnoxious CEO of the bag firm, Jin Yong-tae (played by Son Ho-jun), and ultimately I liked him. It was nice to see how he became part of the team catching the bad guys. I love his bromance with Kim Bon, him naming Bon 'brother'. And I also liked him with Go Ae-rin.
*The bad woman of NIS is initially very annoying but when she becomes the good woman, I liked her.
*I had seen the identity of the villain coming a mile away. He was too nice and it was bound to go wrong with Ji-yeon trusting him so much.
*The kids are very cute and have good rapport with the adults, especially So Ji-sub.
*The neighbourhood parents/mummy cops are a bit over the top at times but overall I liked them and occasionally they're hilarious. I love the community spirit and how they watch out for one another. I especially like Kim Yeo-jin — love this actress very much — as Eun-ha, the leader of KIS (Kingcastle Information System).

*The mystery/crime case could have been more exciting but there were some genuine thrilling moments. In the last episodes the crime story takes center stage, and it became actually quite suspenseful.
*I had expected more from the central romance between the main couple. Though there were no sparks flying, their chemistry was decent. It ends a bit tame between them. They have a new assignment (Go Ae-rin is an agent all of a sudden???) where they have to pretend to be man and wife. Maybe their romance will really kick off on their next adventure, off-screen (disgruntled emoticon). But I didn't really feel the romantic vibes with this ending .

*Ji-yeon and her buddy, NIS agent Do-woo (played by Sung Joo), did end up as a romantic couple, and I liked them together. I was so happy she didn't die. 

Currently Watching: Live Up to Your Name

Live Up To Your Name (2017) 명불허전

Directed by Hong Jong-chan, starring Kim Nam-gil and Kim A-joong. 

Heo Im is an oriental doctor, acknowledged as the best in acupuncture and moxibustion ¹) in Joseon. His success is blocked due to his low status. One day, Heo Im travels through time and finds himself in present day Seoul. He meets Choi Yeon-kyung. She is a doctor firmly believing in only modern medicine. (Synopsis: AsianWiki)

I had this series on my watchlist for quite some time now, and since I also wanted to see another show with Kim Nam-gil, I chose this one. I have watched 2 episodes so far, but I'm not completely sold on this medical drama/comedy yet. I like the leads well enough, though. I'm not familiar with Kim A-joong but I like her serious demeanour, balancing out the broad comedy of Kim Nam-gil. He gets a bit wacky, so I hope he will become more serious, sharing with Kim A-joong his knowledge of acupuncture and making her accept the old ways. I'm also curious to see how the romance between them will develop. To be continued!

Note: It was a nice surprise to see Jin Sun-kyu in a small role in episode 1 (see middle photo). I had seen him with Kim Nam-gil in Through the Darkness and loved them together, so I liked seeing them share a scene in this episode, even though it was brief and nothing special. (I also had to wreck my brain first to recall where I had seen Jin Sun-kyu before because here he looks decidedly different from the character he plays in Through the Darkness.)

¹) moxibustion what???!!! I had to look that up: "Moxibustion is a type of traditional Chinese medicine. It involves burning moxa, a cone or stick made of ground mugwort leaves, on or near your body's meridians and acupuncture points. Practitioners believe that the resulting heat helps stimulate these points and improves the flow of qi in your body."

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Also watching: The Crowned Clown, My Secret Terrius and Blood Free.